A new dad is behind bars for an outbreak of violence in which he smashed a pub window and attacked two innocent men, one of them in a ‘road rage’ melee.

Burnley Crown Court heard how agitated Imran Shah, 24, caused £500 damage at the pub after setting about the window with a baseball bat.

Shah, who is now already serving a 16-month jail term for fraud, was given 10 months to run concurrently and was banned from driving for two years.

Recorder Mark Ford told him his behaviour had been premeditated and reprehensible. He said: “You seem to take offence at what you perceive to be insults and are prepared to act very readily with violence.”

The defendant, of Princess Street, Great Harwood, had admitted affray, having an offensive weapon and dangerous driving.

David Macro, prosecuting, said Shah broke the window at the Duke of Wellington on Blackburn Road, Great Harwood, got back in his car and drove off. A number of people had been outside the pub. One witness who saw what happened was accused of making a racist remark by the defendant and was then punched in the face out of the blue.

Mr Macro said Shah tried to get back in the flow of traffic, pushed in and a motorist sounded his horn and had to brake hard to avoid a crash.

The defendant got out, went over to his vehicle and said: “Come on then”.

The victim, who had only been driving eight months, was extremely scared and shocked and held up his hands to try and calm the defendant down.

Shah opened the driver’s door and kicked the man in the chest while holding the roof. He then bent his wing mirror, causing £150 damage. The man’s girlfriend was in tears.

Police were called and Shah reversed at speed, skidded in an alley, sped off and skidded left at 90 degrees, without stopping at a Give Way sign.

Shah was later arrested and questioned and made no comment.

Philip Holden, defending, said the incidents were plainly unpleasant and there was no doubt the defendant was very wound up at the time. He had been having problems with youths in the area and racist abuse and saw red. If any injuries were caused, they were extremely minor.

Mr Holden said: “He had the good sense not to use the baseball bat to assault either of the men”.

The barrister said Shah had undoubtedly had a problem with drugs misuse over several years.

He was the father of a two week old baby, who he had seen only once, whilst he had been locked up. Mr Holden added: “That is something that has hit him very hard indeed.”